The Bermuda National Trust today commended the Bermuda Olympic Association [BOA] on its “decision to drop plans to install the Olympic Wall on the grounds of City Hall on a temporary basis and instead to place it in its permanent location at the National Sports Centre immediately.”

Earlier today, the BOA said, “Originally, the Wall was to have been installed on the grounds of City Hall in Hamilton, but after the review of a number of factors, it has been determined that the Wall will be located at the National Sports Centre in a beautifully landscaped setting on the Roberts Avenue side of the NSC near the entrance to the National Aquatic Centre.”

In response, a BNT spokesperson said, “The Trust had concerns about the placement of the Wall at City Hall but chose not to object on the basis that the location was a temporary one,” a spokesperson said.

“However, the Trust welcomed the BOA’s announcement, saying that the NSC was the most appropriate location for the Wall as the NSC served the whole of Bermuda and City Hall should be reserved for monuments dedicated to Hamilton.

“The Trust had also been concerned that the monument was to be located in the direct sightline of the Grade 1-listed City Hall and would obscure the view of the historic landmark.

Said Trust President William White: “We agree with the BOA that the site at Roberts Avenue is the most appropriate location for a monument to sporting achievement and will serve as an inspiration to the many sportsmen and women, spectators and young people who use the NSC’s facilities on a regular basis.

“We do not know all of the factors that went into the BOA’s decision, but the effect of the decision is the right one from an aesthetic and cultural standpoint and we commend the BOA and the National Sports Centre Trustees for this decision.”